Dienstag, Juni 26, 2007

In continuing to talk about those special silent Spanish films, this aristocrat thought that it was time to rant about a unique, silent film of interest made in that country … the exception that proves the rule… that film is “La Aldea Maldita”, directed by Herr Florián Rey.

The film was made in the “talkie” year of 1930. Florian Rey had made a sound version of “La Aldea Maldita” that had even more success in France, where were shot a few scenes of said talkie. However, that sound version of “La Aldea Maldita” is lost forever. Last but not least, Herr Florián Rey made a remake of the film ten years later, a film that can’t compare with the original, silent one. So to consider this film as one of the better Spanish silent film made at such late time, only proves the scarce interest or merits of early silent Spanish silent film productions; most of them full of tearful film serial-like folk and picturesqueness in which, obviously, avant-garde experiments had no place.

Herr Florián Rey had the original story of the film in his Spanish head during years but after having seeing a Russian film (an audacity, certainly), he decided to put in images from the story of a Castilian damned village. There the people must to emigrate in order to prevent hungry and misery due to the bad weather that spoils the harvest year after year.

Having in mind this communist point in the filming of “La Aldea Maldita”, the longhaired might think that Soviet silent influences can be seen in the film. It’s more evident in the story and concept itself, certainly, but for this German Count there is even more obviously the influence of German Expressionism. This occurs in the atmosphere, darkness and stylistic merits that made this film a remarkable one.. (There is even a scene that copied a shot from Herr Murnau’s “Nosferatu” in where a shadow-hand grasps the heroine’s heart.)

Even the religious theme, so usual in almost every Spanish silent production, fits perfectly in a story in where codes of honour, traditions and respect must prevail among earthly subjects. The result is an oeuvre full of beautiful and at the same time sombre shots in where desperation prevails with no future and hopeless pervades the scenery as well as the main characters of this excellent film.

And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must to return to Deutschland.

Freitag, Juni 15, 2007

When this German Count talked recently about the hypocritocal customs of the Spanish aristocracy watching silent porn films in private at their theatres having probably just come from mass, one could hardly have imagined that even the clergy would be involved in such erotic films, as it happens with “El Confesor” in which a Protestant confessor ( it seems that the Catholic priests have no interest in worldly matters… ) deals with the sins of his flock.

This silent porn short ilm was another one commissioned by His Highness Alfonso XIII for his private pleasure and directed by the Baños brothers. There is scarce interest here for serious, strict and chaste Teutonic aristocrats not to mention that there are many inaccuracies ( a skinny, thin Priest??!... they have never existed ) . Still this German count does appreciate and celebrate those stout beauties shown in the film, ladies who are very much like the fat rich Teutonic heiresses although obviously this aristocrat has never seen them in such indecent poses. Usually they are dressed from head to foot overall because in Deutschland it is very cold during the whole year so this German count must wait impatiently for summertime in Nice…

And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must make one’s confession with his fat and rich Teutonic heiresses.

Dienstag, Juni 05, 2007

Those longhaired silent fans who have had the patience during the last years to read this German Count's rants, know, among other subjects, the enormous differences and extravagances between Teutonic aristocracy and other decadent and European ones.

As it happens, for example with the German and Spanish aristocracy; this Herr Graf likes to show in the Schloss private cinema, avant-garde French films, dangerous communist films from Russia or German Expressionist oeuvres, special delicacies in accordance with the Teutonic taste but on the other hand the Spanish aristocrat likes to show in his private theatres, ehem… porn films.

“Consultorio De Señoras” it is one of those porn films that the Spanish king Alfonso XIII was pleased to watch in private at the Court; his liking for this bold film genre and erotic matters in general, was notorious in those times so His Highness commissioned to Herr Count of Romanones many of those porn films for his private collection; these were recently discovered and restored. They were directed by the Baños brothers, Ramón und Ricardo, owners of the Barcelona film company, tsk, tsk, tsk… “Royal Films”.

The likeness for porn films of His Highness Alfonso XIII was so important that he even suggested the plots of many of those films, a hard work for a king, certainly to think up those complicated stories depicted in those films…

In spite of His Highness' efforts in creating these erotic stories, obviously the most interesting aspect of “Consultorio De Señoras” is not its plot ( a doctor serve his patients, ladies only, in a peculiar way ;meanwhile his wife has a lot of fun with the butler and the maid ) , or acting ( the depraved audience paid more attention to the Rubens- zaftig bodies showed in the film ) or technique ( in spite of the specific limitations of this film genre, the film is well done, including, besides its explicit scenes, close ups and film continuity ) but the historical and archaeological aspects of these films. They circulated in a restricted way for the use only of elitist and rich elites of those times who probably watched them after having come from mass. Such hypocritical customs in those conservative and ordinary countries!

And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must talk to his fat and rich Teutonic heiresses about some divertimentos showed in the film.